Alberta Precision Laboratories

--- Query Results ---

Organization:

Sub-Page

Test Name/Synonym:

Rapid COVID-19 PCR
(Synonym: Novel Coronavirus, Coronavirus disease-2019, 2019-nCoV, SARS-CoV-2, Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus-2, COVID-19 NAT)

Pathogen:

SARS-CoV-2

Clinical Indications:

Rapid on-site COVID-19 PCR is reserved for symptomatic patients that are likely to be or are admitted to hospital. Centralized Rapid COVID-19 PCR is done on other admitted or ED patients. Centralized testing is also performed for outbreak investigations on inpatient wards (this indication includes testing patients to see if they can be removed from isolation).

When ordering COVID-19 testing it is important to accurately indicate the reason for testing and patient location. The sustainability of the on-site testing program depends on proper utilization of the test.

Asymptomatic testing is not acceptable unless requested by Infection Prevention and Control or Public Health.

On-site COVID-19 nucleic acid testing (e.g. PCR) is available at certain hospital laboratories. See Performing Site, below.

Ordering Alert:

Do not send patients to outpatient collection sites or patient service centres if suspected or confirmed to have SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 or another respiratory virus

LABID (Connect Care):

LAB6134

Specimen Type:

Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab in Viral Transport Medium (VTM) or Universal Transport Medium (UTM)
Nasopharyngeal aspirate in sterile container
Endotracheal aspirate in sterile container
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or bronchoalveolar wash in a sterile container
Throat swab in VTM or UTM (not preferred compared to NP swab or aspirate)

Test Resources:

In Epic, order using Respiratory Infection (incl. COV-19) NAT.

Use this requisition for community ordering or Epic downtime:

COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Viruses Requisition - 21701
Select the testing indicated.

Stability and Storage:

Refrigerated (preferred): 7 days
Room temperature: 2 days

Transportation:

Ship to the laboratory within 48 hours of collection
Ship specimens from suspected COVID-19 patients to the laboratory using routine procedures

Routine Turn Around Time:

24 hours

Testing Area:

Molecular Diagnostics, Microbiology, Chemistry, Hematology

Performing Site:

Public Health Laboratory (ProvLab)	Provincial Lab Northern Alberta - UAH Provincial Lab Southern Alberta - FMC South Health Campus Provincial Laboratory
Calgary Zone	Alberta Children’s Hospital Peter Lougheed Hospital Rockyview General Hospital
Central Zone	Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre
Edmonton Zone	Grey Nun’s Community Hospital Misericordia Community Hospital Royal Alexandra Hospital Sturgeon Community Hospital
North Zone	Bonnyville Healthcare Centre Fort McMurray, Northern Lights Regional Health Centre Grande Prairie Regional Hospital High Level, Northwest Health Centre
South Zone	Chinook Regional Hospital Medicine Hat Regional Hospital

Last Updated On:

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Date of Last Review:

Mar 28 2025 12:00AM